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Earl B. Kirby, Sr.
Caldwell & Cowan
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Staff Report
Published: Nov 2, 2009, 5:57 PM
Earl B. Kirby, Sr., of Mansfield, passed away November 1, 2009, at the age of 78. Mr. Kirby was an Army Veteran, proudly serving in the 82nd Airborne Division, and recently became a member of the 82nd Airborne Division Association. He was a member of Mansfield Baptist Church, and enjoyed gardening, fishing and traveling. Mr. Kirby and his wife, Rebecca, were also members of the Silver Sneakers Fitness Group at the Covington Fitness Center. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ivan Kirby and Lena Ledbetter Kirby; first wife, Patricia Kirby; and his brother, Preston Kirby.

Survivors include his wife, Rebecca Kirby; daughters and son-in-law, Dianna Kirby of Jonesboro, Deborah and Dale Gore of Park Hills, MO, Donna Boone of Griffin; son and daughter-in-law, Barry and Lisa Kirby of Monticello; step-children, Krista DeLisle, Nancy Smith, Jimmy, Tommy, and Tim Dodson; grandchildren, Joseph, Kayla, and Meagan Boone, Dewayne, Darren, and Dustin Gore, Brandon and Andrea Kirby; great-granddaughter, Alexis Gore; sister, Katherine Dennis of Hogansville, GA; several nieces and nephews.

Funeral Services for Mr. Kirby will be held Wednesday, November 4, 2009, 1 PM, at Mansfield Baptist Church, with Dr. Jeff Perkins officiating, and interment following in Westview Cemetery. The family will receive friends at Caldwell & Cowan Funeral Home, 3134 Floyd St., in Covington, Tuesday, November 3, from 5-8 PM. Flowers are accepted, or donations may be made to Mansfield Baptist Church, the "3 R's", 101 Woodlawn Rd., Mansfield, GA 30055.
Obituary: Robert I. Stafford
Robert I. Stafford
Robert I. Stafford (Dec. 1, 1941 — April 16, 2025) - photo by Contributed Photo
Published: May 12, 2025, 3:26 PM

Robert Irby “Bob” Stafford was born into a large family in Summerfield, NC on December 1, 1941. He passed away peacefully on April 16, 2025, after suffering from a fall in 2022.

Bob grew up in the small town of Summerfield, NC. After graduating from Summerfield High School, he briefly joined the Army Reserves. Bob worked various jobs before moving to Georgia with Moore Business Forms, where he held various sales and management positions before starting his own company in 1985. He moved to Covington in 2005 after living in Atlanta for several years.

Bob was predeceased by his mother, Doris Stafford Kania, and step-father, Edward Kania. He is survived by his loving wife of 51 years, Vicki Stafford; his daughter, Karen Collins; his son, Scott Stafford (Jennifer); his cherished grandchildren, Flynne Collins Cherry (Jack), Ian Collins, Jack Stafford, Ellie Stafford and Emma Stafford; and his twin great granddaughters, Davie May and Tomorrow Cherry. His family and friends remember Bob as a strong, loving and wise example whose guidance and support were unwavering.

While living in Atlanta, Bob was an active and devoted member of the North Atlanta (North DeKalb) Rotary Club and served as president during 1988-1989. He was a long-term contributor to the Georgia Rotary Student Program as a Trustee and Vice-Chair. He and Vicki were host parents and grandparents to many students from around the world for 40 years. After moving to Covington, Bob joined the Rotary Club of Covington and served as president during 2010-2011. He was also a member of the Covington Police Who Care Board.

Bob was a passionate hunter and avid outdoorsman who enjoyed elk hunting in southwest Colorado with Vicki for many years. His wall is adorned with numerous trophies from his adventures, including elk, deer, duck, dove, and quail hunting. These outings provided him lots of time to socialize with friends. Recently, he became an avid hog hunter, even recruiting Vicki as his spotter with advanced equipment for nighttime hunts.

After Bob’s serious fall in September 2022, he spent the last 2.5 years at PruittHealth of Covington, receiving excellent care from the devoted staff. The family appreciates their support for Bob and Vicki, which made his final journey easier.

The family will receive friends at a gathering to celebrate Bob’s life on Sunday, May 18, 2025, from 2:00 to 4:00 at J.C. Harwell Funeral Home (2157 East Street, SE, Covington, GA 30014).

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bob’s name to The Arts Association of Newton County at 1169 Washington Street, Covington GA 30014 or to the Covington Family YMCA at 2140 Newton Drive, NE, Covington GA 30014.